Author Topic: reaching for the backspace key (Read 4702 times)

exia · « **on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 00:54:01 »

does anyone find reaching for the backspace key while keeping your right fingers on the home row a bit unnatural? my hands are not small either. would the backspace be better on the key below the backspace key (like on HHkB2)? it seems more comfortable

msiegel · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 00:58:35 »

that's a popular choice, and some people even remap Caps Lock or ~ as Backspace

HaaTa · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 01:21:54 »

+1 for remapping the capslock as backspace.

Mostly because I have a personal hatred for the capslock, and actually use the ~ ` \ | symbols a lot.

My second choice would probably be the left shift key (I never use it).

Third choice would be the "Menu" key. You know the one between the right windows key and the right control on most keyboards.

nanu · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 07:26:00 »

Ideally, you wouldn't be making errors in the first place to require editing often, right? If you do (like me, and make ample use of the editing keys island on a big layout), you'll end up shifting your hand anyway.

Also, I don't see the point of the AppsKey being a Backspace alternative since it's typically smaller. For me, that still requires a hand shift to hit (and I habitually use my thumb for that).

hyperlinked · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 10:52:06 »

What finger(s) do you guys use to hit the backspace key? I don't keep my right hand on the home row. Getting back to the home row is never a problem though. I use my ring finger and I climb up one row of keys to get my ring finger in position to hit the backspace comfortably. My caps lock key is mapped as a second control key.

Rajagra · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 13:40:21 »

When backspace is in the normal place, I use my right little finger to hit it, and it is an uncomfortable and slow stretch. (You could argue that's a good thing, as it acts as a deterrent to making mistakes?)

But I now remap the CapsLock key to act as backspace, and it is wonderful.

Msiegel's post made me think - if you want CapsLock to act as Control, you could still remap Tab to act as backspace, and '~ to act as Tab. All depends on your personal priorities of course, but for me CapsLock and Tab are both rarely used functions on juicy fat keys in a prime real estate area.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 14:38:50 »

I just use Caps Lock the way it is.

ricercar · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 15:07:02 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;145237

I just use Caps Lock the way it is.

QFT. Or, more accurately, I just dont-use Caps Lock the way it is.

ch_123 · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 15:37:03 »

Being a *nix kind of person, I like the Control in 'the right place' idea. However, on 101-key boards I map Caps to Win key for Windows.

I quite like the HHKB placement of backspace.

Quote

I just use Caps Lock the way it is.

Surprise surprise...

Viett · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 15:43:59 »

CAPS LOCK IS THE GREATEST KEY EVER MADE.

But in all honesty, I wouldn't mind swapping Caps and BS. I definitely use Caps lock, but less frequently.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 15:44:34 »

On typewriters I used CAPS was in the same place as it is in the Model M. That
is how I got used to it. For people who started on
computers with different keyboard layouts I am sure it is a differentt story.

ricercar · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 25 December 2009, 17:13:15 »

When it's next to the A, I hit Caps Lock by accident more often than on purpose; Therefore I need a sculpted Caps Lock keycap.

The only time I hit Caps Lock on purpose is professionally, when I do a signal diagram or pinout with signal names in all caps.

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 26 December 2009, 20:17:11 »

One of the most common complaints about the CAPS Lock key is that people will hit it by accident. Won't remapping it to a Backspace pose a different kind of problem? I mean the key is not problematic because it's the CAPS Lock key. If it is problematic because of its location. Personally, I don't have a problem with the CAPS Lock at all.

Rajagra · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 26 December 2009, 21:06:57 »

Quote from: patrickgeekhack;145460

One of the most common complaints about the CAPS Lock key is that people will hit it by accident. Won't remapping it to a Backspace pose a different kind of problem?

ricercar summed it up:

Quote from: ricercar;145258

I hit Caps Lock by accident more often than on purpose

It's the ratio of correct to incorrect hits that makes it a bad place to put Caps Lock. I use backspace more often than CapsLock, so it makes sense to remap that key.

spremino · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 28 December 2009, 02:43:51 »

Quote from: exia;145190

does anyone find reaching for the backspace key while keeping your right fingers on the home row a bit unnatural?

I don't. I was comfortable even with my Japanese keyboard, where Backspace is half the size.

However, you shouldn't keep your fingers on home row while pressing Backspace.

DreymaR · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 28 December 2009, 08:12:51 »

I use CapsLock+[whatever-key-is-under-your-right-pinky] (Colemak 'O', QWERTY ';') for Backspace, and CapsLock+[the-key-above] as Del. Works just fine.

For the CapsLock state function, I press CapsLock+Esc, so that functionality is still available but I can't press it by accident anymore (I'm never that drunk, thank you).

quadibloc · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 28 December 2009, 08:50:25 »

While I find the backspace key hard to reach on the AT layout, where the |\ key is between += and the backspace, on a normal U.S. 101-key layout, the Backspace is just where I was used to finding it on a 44-key typewriter.

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Author Topic: reaching for the backspace key (Read 4702 times)